Lichen  (Caloplaca aractina)

Threats

This species is not currently threatened, though it may be vulnerable to oil spill incidents on some of its sites. It is not fully understood why this species has declined so drastically over the last fifty years. Scrub encroachment might prove a threat at its only known site in the UK.

Conservation

Caloplaca aractina is listed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plans and included in English Nature's Species Recovery Programme. The site on the Lizard where it is found is a National Nature Reserve, so appropriate management for the species does not pose a problem. However, with a species that has such a precarious status in Britain, it is important to find out as much as possible about its requirements. It is necessary, too, to make mycologists (fungi experts) aware of this species and encourage them to report any sightings of the lichen elsewhere. Part of the Species Action Plan for C. aractina is to compile a list of suitable sites to search for the lichen, and compile a database of endangered lichens. This might help other members of this fascinating group that are critically endangered.

There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.
The UK Biodiversity Action Plan for this species is available at UK BAP.
left